About six weeks ago, an X mutual tagged me in a post asking, “Is there really a CZ Shadow 2 Carry coming out, or is it just a Reddit rumor?” As a die-hard Shadow 2 fan, I was well aware of the Shadow 2 and the Shadow 2 Compact, but a Shadow 2 Carry? That was news to me. So, I did what any curious gun nut would do: I hit the interwebs and started Googling. It didn’t take long to find the Reddit post in question, which included an image of what looked like a magazine ad. It seemed legit, but something felt off. On closer inspection, I noticed a CZ domain I didn’t recognize. I checked it out, and it didn’t resolve to a website. I brushed it off as a rumor and moved on. A few days later, an influencer announced it wasn’t a rumor after all. I rechecked the domain, and lo and behold, it was live with the pistol front and center. That got me hyped. Only thing left to do: source a CZ Shadow 2 Carry and review it. And I did. Now, here we are.

Sourcing the S2 Carry wasn’t as tough as I expected. Shadow 2s, while not cheap, are wildly popular among competitors and enthusiasts. The S2 Compact, which was hyped to the moon, flew off shelves instantly. I figured the S2 Carry would be just as hard to snag, but the demand didn’t seem as intense. Come to think of it, I’m not sure CZ marketed the Carry much at all. I don’t recall hearing about it in any of this year’s SHOT Show coverage, the premier industry event. Maybe I missed it—nobody can keep tabs on everything in the gun world—or maybe it’s the buyer’s market we’re in right now. Another possibility? Folks might be skeptical after the S2 Compact, which, in my opinion, didn’t quite live up to its billing as a competition-bred concealed-carry superstar. Regardless, the buzz around the S2 Carry is surprisingly low. According to Cajun Gun Works, who sold out faster than most dealers, only 4,000 S2 Carry pistols were imported for the initial release. So, yeah, snagging one as easily as I did shocked me. Seeing some dealers still have them in stock? Mind-blowing.

Weird or not, availability isn’t the point. What matters is I got my hands on a CZ Shadow 2 Carry, and now I’m sharing my first impressions with y’all in this review. Let’s dive in.

The CZ Shadow 2 Carry

At its core, the CZ Shadow 2 Carry (S2 Carry for short) is an all-metal, 4-inch-barreled, 15-round-capacity, hammer-fired, double-action/single-action (DA/SA) 9mm pistol with a decocker. As of now, the street price hovers just shy of $1,400, though I’ve seen it as low as $1,299. I suspect that price will drop about $100 as the year goes on, assuming CZ keeps importing them to meet demand.

For that price, you get:

• The pistol
• Two 15-round magazines (CZ 75 small-frame compatible)
• A cleaning kit (segmented rod and brush)
• A manual
• A warranty registration form
• A cable lock
• All neatly packaged in a CZ-branded hard case

Weighing 30.7 oz with an overall length of 7.5 inches, a height of 5.4 inches, and a width of 1.5 inches at its widest point, the S2 Carry is nearly identical to the CZ Shadow 2 Compact. Visually, the two are strikingly similar, save for the grip panel colors (silver-gray on the Compact, black on the Carry). Subtle differences include the iron sights, optic interface, slide release lever, magazine release button, and safety controls (decocker on the Carry versus a manual thumb safety on the Compact). I’m pointing these out up front for those familiar with the S2 Compact who might want to skip the full walkthrough—though you’d miss out on my charming first impressions.

CZ has seriously upped their hard case game. This isn’t the usual plastic, foam-lined case CZ fans know. It’s a zippered case wrapped in a soft, classy material. The interior still has precut foam for the pistol and mags, but the lid includes zippered pockets to organize the manual, paperwork, cable lock, and cleaning kit. It’s a nice touch.

I’ll keep griping about pistols marketed for defensive use shipping with only two magazines. I get it—most concealed carriers only carry one spare mag, if any. One for the pistol, one for the belt or pocket. But three is the minimum for most defensive pistol courses, and I wish manufacturers would include an extra to eliminate the “I don’t have enough mags for a class” excuse. At least CZ 75 mags are plentiful and relatively affordable.

Tip to Butt Walkthrough

Let’s start at the business end: a 4-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel chambered in 9mm, surrounded by a pinned bushing common to all Shadow 2 pistols. The slide features the signature Shadow 2 traits: internal rails mating with the metal frame for that classic CZ 75 low-bore-axis look, plus deep front and rear serrations for slide manipulation (which I still struggle with, but that’s on me). The slide sports a dovetailed luminescent dot front sight paired with a luminescent dot notch-style dovetailed rear sight—aka night sights. While I appreciate the dovetailed front sight (a step up from the usual pinned design), I’m not thrilled about the night sights. They’re “tacticool” and market well, but for concealed carry, they’re as useful as standard white-dot sights. They need light exposure to glow, which isn’t happening when the pistol’s concealed. This feels like a misstep for a carry gun. I’d prefer a high-visibility front sight with blacked-out, serrated rears, like other Shadow 2s, but I’d skip the fiber optic ones. The dovetailing makes swapping them out easier, and I’m betting XS Sights has options already. If you think I’m being picky, fine—I’m picky, but so are many skilled shooters and top instructors.

I’m pleased the rear sight is mounted directly on the slide, not on the optic cover plate like the other optic-ready Shadow 2s. This eliminates the hassle (and expense) of finding adapter plates with rear sight dovetails. No more “I couldn’t find a plate with a rear sight” excuses for skipping backup irons. The trade-off? Less slide surface for optic mounting between the rear sight and ejection port. CZ ditched adapter plates for a direct-mount RMSc footprint, which is secure but limits you to compact optics. No Trijicon SRO or Holosun 507COMP here. I was hoping to try a Ronin 507COMP, but I’ll settle for a Ronin EPS Carry instead. It’s not the end of the world, but I’d have preferred a more versatile footprint.

At the rear, you’ll find a notched, skeletonized hammer with top serrations for grip—though hammer manipulation is rarely needed thanks to the decocker, a first for the Shadow 2 series. Below the slide, the compact frame, forged from 7075 aluminum alloy, features a full-length dust cover with an accessory rail for lights or lasers. The trigger guard is large enough for gloved hands, with a flat, serrated front for those who rest their support hand’s index finger there.

Now, the DA/SA trigger. Shadow 2s are known for buttery-smooth triggers, especially after a CZ gunsmith tunes them. The S2 Carry’s trigger? It’s good, but it’s not that. Here’s why: it’s the first Shadow 2 with a firing pin block safety (FBS), making it drop-safe, unlike its siblings. This adds mechanical complexity—the trigger must disengage the FBS which requires compressing more springs, and moving additional parts, creating more friction. I knew this going in, so I expected a heavier, less refined trigger than a tuned Shadow 2. But it feels like a different beast altogether, not just a lesser version. It’s smooth and solid, but it doesn’t scream “Shadow 2.” I’m starting to think the S2 badging might be a marketing move that could dilute the Shadow 2 brand.

The DA pull has about 3/8-inch pre-engagement travel before cocking the half-cocked hammer, then another 5/8-inch to break at roughly 9.75 lbs (per my trigger pull gauge). The reset is tactile and audible after about 3/8-inch of travel. The SA pull has 1/4-inch pre-travel, a squishy 1/4-inch post-engagement, and breaks at about 4.75 lbs. My measurements show slightly longer travel but lighter pulls than CZ’s specs—could be human error or manufacturing variance. The trigger reach is long, typical for Shadow 2s, which may challenge shooters with smaller hands, especially in DA. A gunsmith can shorten it, and I plan to send mine to Cajun Gun Works for their Pro-Package to address this.

The frame features an ambidextrous decocker and a slide stop/release lever. The stock has aggressive checkering on the front and rear for a solid grip, plus removable black Duralumin grip panels. The panels are thin, textured, and sleek, but the texture isn’t aggressive enough for my taste. The high-cut beavertail enhances comfort and control. The magazine release button is textured, easy to manipulate, and reversible (though not fully ambidextrous). The magazine well, while not flared, has a nice bevel to guide mags smoothly.

Fit, finish, and ergonomics are stellar. The S2 Carry is a well-built, finely tuned, good-looking pistol suited for defensive use and concealed carry. Frankly, it feels like what the S2 Compact should have been. The marketing for the S2 Carry mirrors the Compact’s early pitch: competition pedigree in a smaller, lighter package for EDC. But while the Compact’s marketing has shifted toward sport shooting, the S2 Carry leans hard into EDC with a focus on safety.

Applications

This pistol is built for defensive use. Sure, you could compete with it or hunt (if legal), but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The heavier trigger and long actuations aren’t ideal for competition, and hunting’s a stretch. The S2 Carry’s DNA screams defensive or duty pistol. It’s roughly the size of a Glock 19, the gold standard for concealed carry, but heavier, which might be a dealbreaker for all-day carry. The DA/SA manual of arms is another consideration—not the dual trigger pulls (which some overcomplicate), but the habit of using the decocker after every string of fire and before holstering. It’s a critical safety practice that requires training to ingrain.

That said, the S2 Carry checks all the boxes: drop-safe, concealable, portable, and—while I haven’t tested it yet—likely as durable and reliable as other CZs.

Handling & Closing Thoughts

Full disclosure: I haven’t fired the S2 Carry yet, so this is more an unboxing post than a true first impressions review. I’m sending it to Cajun Gun Works for their magic touch before hitting the range. Given its similarities to the S2 Compact, I doubt a single range trip would change much—unless it’s to highlight the trigger reach and non-Shadow-2-worthy trigger, which I hope a tune-up will fix.

Post-tune, I’ll mount a Holosun Ronin EPS Carry. I’m not thrilled about the small optic (tiny optics don’t excite me), but I think it’s the best RMSc option available. On the bright side, it’s my first enclosed-emitter pistol optic, and I’m curious to see how it performs. Plus, it’ll let me field reader questions about EPS optics with firsthand experience. I’ll also likely swap the grips for Lok Grips, as the OEM grips, while pretty, lack the aggressive texture I prefer.

It’ll take a bit, but once it’s back, I’ll put rounds downrange. I predict an uneventful, pleasant experience—CZ makes reliable pistols, and their Shadow 2s are fantastic. While I’m skeptical about the S2 Carry’s badge, I trust CZ didn’t make that call lightly. I’m confident it’ll be a blast at the range.

Until the CZ Shadow 2 Carry’s first milestone review at 500 rounds, I want to hear from y’all. What do you think about the CZ Shadow 2 Carry?